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Friday, August 26, 2016

Have you ever seen the stunning creations of Minki Kim - well you need too if you haven't already. Seriously this is one very talented lady with a sewing machine and thread and what she turns them into is nothing short of amazing.

Sew Illustrated - 35 Charming Fabric and Thread Designs is an amazing book by Minki and Kristen. I totally admit that I have been really intimidated to give Sewing Illustration a go as I thought it was way out of my league. After reading through the Tips and Techniques in this book - I was sure that I could give it a go. These ladies have made a wonderful team creating and writing this book.

I decided to make the Tea Mats and using just a few simple supplies which I already had in my sewing room - set about making these. Well these were so much fun to make.

I just loved making these and although some of the lines were at times a little wonky I really enjoyed the process and want to give some of the other projects a go. I can totally see that this type of sewing is totally addictive.

I thought that these Tea Mats were too cute and will be perfect for when friends drop over.

I really enjoyed reading this book with well written instructions and with Minki and Kristen taking you through the steps it was easy to create these fun projects. Definitely stop by Minki's blog for all her sewing illustration - she is such an inspiration.

C & T Publishing are generously giving away a copy of Sew Illustrated at every stop on the blog tour. If the winner is in the USA, they will receive a hard copy of the book. If the winner is International, they will win an eBook. To enter, just leave a comment below. Giveaway is open world wide until September 3, 2016.

You can check out all the amazing creations by all the talented bloggers here

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Back in March this year I started this Hexie Love Actually Blanket by Bonnie of Pink Stitches. I had long been a fan of Bonnie's work over in Instagram and just amazed at the stunning blankets that she makes. You should go over and check out her work - you will be blown away. During my back surgery earlier this year, this crochet blanket was just what I needed to help relax and recover. Little did I know just how addicted to these crochet hexagons I would become.

My young Godson will be gifted this blanket later this year for his birthday. He has watched as I crochet and always asked if I would make him a blanket of his own so I knew that he would just love this mix of Blues and Greens.

I have long been a fan of this Cotton Fleece as for kids blankets it is nice and soft. The cost is economical for a 100gm ball and the range of colours if great. I love working with Cotton and although it can tend to split a bit - just as most cotton will - I actually really love the finished look and texture that it creates.

I was very quickly "hooked" on these hexes and could not get enough - making them in the car while I was waiting for kids to finish activities, in the doctors waiting rooms, on the couch, at the park - anywhere. While the blanket is Join-as-you-go it is actually quite a portable project as you make the rounds in the varying colours and then these can be joined later.

I absolutely enjoyed making this blanket and already have plans for the next one, and even the one after that!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Today is my stop on the Sweet Orchard Blog Tour. Sweet Orchard for Riley Blake Designs is the debut collection from Sedef Imer from Down Grapevine Lane. Sedef has created a very sweet range with a perfect mix of sweet characters as well as text and my favourite bias stripes.

I love the colours that Sedef has chosen for her first collection and she has even designed and amazing "Cheater print" for each of the colourways in the range. This "Cheater Print" is a great piece to use for backing and when you want to have that overall patchwork look quickly without the fuss. And speaking of fuss - there are prints with perfect Fussy cuts as well.

I chose to make with this beautiful bundle a Crochet Trim Blanket. I wanted to leave the prints in large pieces to show off the collection and this pattern was perfect.

The quilt is a simple and quick quilt to put together and can even be done so with Charm Packs. This quilt is all about letting the prints be the star - and these are surely beautiful.

This quilt is my Amity's Garden Quilt - this was made for Spring Market that was held back in May in Salt Lake City. This quilt was hanging in Sedef's Booth that debuted the line with Riley Blake. Such a versatile collection for all styles of quilts and sewing projects.

2. Always pre-sew your papers. After printing out your pattern onto your paper (I just use regular printer paper) trim your pieces to the dotted line and then take out any thread from your machine (top and bobbin). Sew over each of the lines to "punch" a hole into the paper. This will make it easy to tear later with these perforated lines. I love to use an Open Toe Foot on my machine for this - it makes it so much easier for you to see where you are sewing.

3. When sewing your lines always turn the "Stitch Length" to 2.0. This smaller stitch ensures the security of the stitching against tearing.

Always "Backstitch" at the beginning and ending of a line.

Run your stitch from the middle out to past where the seam will finish. This will ensure you don't have any holes in your pieces later once you join the next piece.

4. Use your "Add a Quarter" Ruler and Rotary cutter to cut the excess fabric from your piece. This gives you a perfect 1/4in seam allowance.

5. Using a "Finger Presser" will mean you don't have to run back and forth to the iron each time.

6. I like to hold the last piece to be sewn down with a pin. As you can see here I have already sewn down piece B2 and next I will be adding piece B3 - the Pin is well out of the way of sewing line B3. (NEVER sew over Pins!) This pin will keep piece B2 out of the way while sewing the next piece.

7. Always ensure you followed the lettered/number order to ensure all of your pieces are sewn in the correct order. Place out all of your sewn pieces before sewing together to ensure you have each piece in the correct position and orientation.

8. Press seams open when you Paper Foundation piece. This ensures the bulk is distributed evenly.

I hope that helps with some of my best tips and techniques for Paper Foundation Piece sewing.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Today is my stop on the High Tea Blog Tour. This is Jera of Quilting in the Rain's first collection for Lecien and it is simply lovely. Delicate florals mixed with great co-ordinates and sweet tea cups and doily's. If you love soft colours then this will be just the range you have been looking for.

The Charm pack was the perfect pack size to make one of my Kaleidescope Mini Quilt/Cushions with. The mix of colours and prints is really sweet with this more subtle colour palette. There are perfect prints to be able to fussy cut and then there are some which are lovely geometric style prints that match in really well to balance out the range.

It was great getting to meet Jera in person at Spring Market and her debut collection for Lecien is just so sweet. The tiny florals too will appeal to all those who love floral prints. I really love the red Jera has chosen with this collection.

High Tea is available now so look out for it in your local quilt store. Whether you love making quilts or smaller projects then this range has all the bases covered.

You can check out all the other beautiful makes by the other bloggers here

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Today is my stop on the Apple Farm Blog Tour. You all know that I just adore Elea Lutz designs and this latest collection for Penny Rose Fabrics is just her cutest. I really love the small scale prints with florals and ginghams and the cutest little characters for which Elea has such a talent for.

Elea has such a style and flair for these sweet reproduction style prints. I just love the cute detail and her addition of the brown in this collection was just perfect. I really had trouble choosing a favourite print as it kept changing. This is a great range that will be a lovely addition to your stash.

The colours Elea has chosen for this range are just so bright and the prints mix and match so well. I knew it was going to be hard to stop at only one project and with the Apples I thought it perfect for some "Back to School" inspired projects.